chased leaders, 2nd halfway, improved to challenge 2 1/2f out, narrow lead 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on well to assert inside final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2 1/2f out, ridden in close 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
dwelt and towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division early, improved into close 4th halfway, challenged 2 1/2f out, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out
prominent early, soon chased leaders, mid-division in 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up early, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon led, pressed 2 1/2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
Alfredo Arcano has now won five times around here and made most for a comfortable victory a fortnight ago. He'll take some catching here but a chance is taken with AMANAAT (NAP). Denis Hogan's charge won over the minimum here last month and got no sort of run when third behind today's rival Stanhope last week with Laughton, Nigg Bay and the well-supported Excellently poised behind. He's a massive 16lb better off here so should have few problems reversing the form. Both Dash D'Or and Ducky Mallon were behind the selection last month and fared no better behind Alfred Arcano two weeks ago.
Alfredo Arcano (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Prominent and led after 1f, ridden 1 1/2f out and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov beating Smart Stinger (8-6) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Stanhope 10-1 (9-13) Soon disputed lead, led under 1f out, soon edged slightly left and strongly pressed, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Dec beating Dance Alone (8-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Amanaat (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Mid-division on outer, 9th early, switched right under 2f out and effort, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Stanhope (9-13) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Dec.
Dash D'Or (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Mid-division on inner, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway in 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, no extra closing stages, 6th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Alfredo Arcano (9-13) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Excellently Poised 6-1cfav (9-9) Slowly into stride, waited with, closer in 7th straight and effort, switched left towards inner from 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Stanhope (9-13) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Dec.
Nigg Bay (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, soon 5th, closed and effort straight, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 2l behind Stanhope (9-13) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Dec.
Ducky Mallon (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden under 2f out and no impression over 1f out, switched right and kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Alfredo Arcano (9-13) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Laughton 12-1 (9-0) Dwelt, chased leaders, soon 7th, 6th straight, soon 4th, switched right under 2f out, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Stanhope (9-13) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Dec.
